Envirotec Magazine

FEBRUARY 19, 2024

Image credit: Richard M Lee / Shutterstock.com. Traffic noise is disrupting the daily lives of Britons with 81% able to hear road noises around their property and one in seven (17%) UK adults completely unable to escape the sound, according to a poll commissioned by GRIDSERVE, a firm with a focus on sustainable energy technology. 1 The research also found that one in five (20%) of those affected by the noise say it has a negative impact on their life.

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Electric vehicle Health Transportation Pollution 147

Envirotec Magazine

FEBRUARY 19, 2024

Lignin is traditionally considered a waste product by the pulp and paper industries. A new study explores an apparently sustainable method of efficiently converting waste heat into electricity using certain wood products, while minimising costs and environmental impact. The study, led by researchers at University of Limerick in collaboration with colleagues at the University of Valencia, has demonstrated a method of generating electricity using low-grade heat recovered from lignin-derived membra

Energy Monitor 147

Energy Monitor Building Energy Monitoring Solar Energy Monitor Electricity 147

Envirotec Magazine

FEBRUARY 19, 2024

High-Performance Computing (HPC), has become critical in assisting the energy sector, offering the capability to analyse complex data, simulate intricate processes, and optimise operations. While immensely powerful, HPC faces several challenges as it continues to evolve and respond to exponential demands for computational power. With the end of Moore’s Law looming ever closer, Owen Thomas, founder of Red Oak Consulting, argues that the energy sector will continue to thrive as HPC invariably move

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Law Energy Monitor Building Energy Monitoring Solar Energy Monitor 310

Envirotec Magazine

FEBRUARY 7, 2024

Carbonaide’s first pilot plant, in Hollola, Finland (image credit: Carbonaide photo by Vesa Kippola). By Carbonaide, a Finnish company serving the concrete industry As the climate continues to warm, so does the demand for technologies that can reduce CO2 emissions and/or efficiently remove CO2 from the atmosphere. Proposed solutions for sequestering CO2 are plentiful, but there are serious issues around how to verify the claims made by the promoters of these innovations.

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Carbon Building Energy Monitoring Energy Monitor Business Energy Monitoring 321

Envirotec Magazine

JANUARY 18, 2024

A new report offers an overview of the hydrogen value chain, including an appraisal of different production methods, distribution and where the authors believe it will be used. Market initelligence firm IDTechX writes Decarbonization efforts have gained momentum globally in recent years. Renewable energy, electrification, and battery storage are primary solutions.

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Hydrogen Methane Natural gas Technology 260

Envirotec Magazine

JANUARY 18, 2024

Barclays has relaunched its Cambridge Eagle Lab with an apparently new focus on becoming a centre of excellence for climate tech start-ups. The group says it wants to help high growth climate tech startups to connect, grow and scale. The International Energy Agency has estimated that 35 per cent of emission reductions needed by 2050 will come from new technologies currently not on the market 1.

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Startups Sustainability Carbon Transportation 147

Envirotec Magazine

JANUARY 18, 2024

(Text: The Wildlife Trusts) On 18th January 2024, the UK Government’s Farming Minister, Mark Spencer, approved ‘emergency’ authorisation for the use of the highly damaging neonicotinoid, Thiamethoxam, on sugar beet for the fourth year in a row. This pesticide has been banned in the UK since 2018 but has been approved for use on British sugar beet crops.

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Soil Government Health Sustainability 147

Envirotec Magazine

JANUARY 18, 2024

Germany’s energy system is not expected to fully retire coal until the end of 2038 according to new projections. This challenges the coalition government’s commitment to phase-out coal by the end of the decade. The modelling, from energy consultancy Cornwall Insight’s North West Europe Benchmark Power Curve casts doubt on Germany’s energy transition targets, with data showing nearly 19GW of coal will still be part of the German energy system by 2030.

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Government Europe Hydrogen Energy 162

Envirotec Magazine

JANUARY 18, 2024

The UK’s approach to constraint management is outdated and needs a major revamp to maximise the UK’s renewable electricity generation and deliver best value for consumers, a new report appears to find. It was published on 16 January by The Energy Landscape and commissioned by Scottish Renewables. When implemented, prior to the boom in wind generation, the current constraint management system worked efficiently.

Electricity 147

Electricity Hydrogen Energy Energy 147

Envirotec Magazine

JANUARY 11, 2024

A new trial aims to create paper-based packaging from ‘second harvest’ materials. According to one of the firms involved – DS Smith – second harvest materials like straw and brewers’ spent grain have the potential to save up to 10% of the virgin fibres used in the papermaking process and therefore present an important and viable means to supplement traditional sources.

Agriculture 264

Agriculture Waste Waste Packaging 264

Envirotec Magazine

NOVEMBER 15, 2023

A new report attempts to identify the hurdles organisations across industries face in the adoption of AI, and to unveil the often overlooked energy requirements of the technology. The new report, “Drivers of Change: Meeting the Energy and Data Challenges of AI Adoption,” seemingly pinpoints the importance of reassessing data infrastructure to truly reap the benefits of AI, keep energy costs in line, and stay on track with corporate environmental goals.

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Demand Organic Energy Energy 147

Envirotec Magazine

NOVEMBER 15, 2023

Jim Bailey of PES Technology at the Agri-TechE REAP Conference 2023. An electronic nose to sniff out soil health that will deliver results to a farmer’s phone in five minutes is being developed by PES Technologies. The company says it is able to create an aroma fingerprint from gas released by microbes in the soil. These organisms are essential for breaking down organic matter and making nutrients available to plants, but current biological lab tests are expensive and take ten weeks to provide r

Soil 147

Soil Health Organic Agriculture 147

Envirotec Magazine

NOVEMBER 15, 2023

The outside of the micromotor in this study is coated with the chemical compound laccase. This enables the motor to convert the urea in the water into ammonia (image credit: Institute of Chemical Research of Catalonia (ICIQ)). Researchers from ICIQ in Spain have designed micromotors that move around on their own to purify wastewater. The process creates ammonia, which can serve as a green energy source.

Energy Monitor 147

Energy Monitor Energy Energy Pollution 147

Envirotec Magazine

NOVEMBER 15, 2023

Waves crashing against a sea wall (image credit: Ray-Bilcliff, available on Pexels) A seemingly pioneering research project that aims to strengthen the resilience of sea walls to increased coastal flooding has been launched by Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh and Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, Virginia. The PIONEER project has been funded by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) and hopes to be the first step in an international collaboration to strengthen coastal sea d

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Resilience Sea level rise Soil Building Energy Monitoring 147

Envirotec Magazine

NOVEMBER 14, 2023

Long-duration energy storage (LDES) can abate up to 65% of industrial emissions using currently existing technologies, according to a new report from decarbonization nonprofit the LDES Council and management consultancy Roland Berger. Industrial carbon dioxide emissions account for around one quarter of greenhouse gasses emitted annually worldwide. Growing by more than two percent annually, these industrial emissions are increasing the difficulty of achieving global net-zero emissions targets.

Energy 162

Energy Energy Fossil fuels Technology 162

Envirotec Magazine

NOVEMBER 14, 2023

Ghoose barnacles colonising an abandoned fishing net float found within the Great Pacific Garbage Patch (image credit: Melanie Bergmann, Alfred Wegener Institute). An international group of scientists has cautioned against reliance on mechanical cleanup devices as a means of addressing the plastic pollution crisis. The researchers – comprising a number of the world’s foremost experts in plastic pollution – say they appreciate the clear and pressing need to tackle the millions of tonnes of waste

Plastics 147

Plastics Pollution Biodiversity Waste 147

Envirotec Magazine

NOVEMBER 14, 2023

Closed-loop geothermal systems: The cost of drilling would need to decrease significantly to hit cost targets, according to the study (Illustration by Ray Johnson/Sandia National Laboratories). Web tool looks belowground for an economically viable renewable energy source. Text by DOE/Sandia National Laboratories. Geothermal power has a lot of promise as a renewable energy source that is not dependent on the sun shining or the wind blowing, but it has some challenges to wide adoption.

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Cooling Geothermal power Electricity Packaging 147

Envirotec Magazine

NOVEMBER 14, 2023

Filtered wine lees (image credit: Dr Gülce Bedis Kaynarca). Researchers in Turkey have proposed a new sustainable solution for winery waste. In a new study published in SCI’s Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture they have demonstrated how one of the most significant by-products from the winemaking industry can be used in gelatine-based sweets, as a low-cost natural colouring agent with added health benefits.

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Waste Waste Health Pollution 147

Envirotec Magazine

NOVEMBER 14, 2023

A Google Street Car loaded with air quality instrumentation (image credit: Logan Mitchell). In 2019, University of Utah atmospheric scientists, the Environmental Defense Fund and other partners added a new tool to their quiver of air quality monitors: two Google Street View cars, Salt Lake Valley’s roving sentinels that would detect hyper-local air pollution hotspots.

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Pollution Methane Policy Investment 278

Envirotec Magazine

NOVEMBER 14, 2023

New study estimates that natural forest recovery could capture approximately 226 Gigatonnes (Gt) of carbon, but only if we also reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Achieving these results requires community-​driven efforts to conserve and restore biodiversity. Research results published in the journal Nature show that realistic global forest carbon potential is approximately 226 Gigatonnes (Gt) of carbon.

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Carbon Biodiversity Fossil fuels Agriculture 162

Envirotec Magazine

NOVEMBER 14, 2023

In an apparent first of its kind within the UK, a pharmaceutical manufacturing site in Northumberland has been equipped with an anaerobic digestion (AD) plant to recycle waste solvents into low carbon gas, which is being injected into the national gas grid. Decarbonisation and energy efficiency specialist Synergie Environ has undertaken the installation and commissioning of the AD plant, at the facilities of pharmaceuticals company Sterling Pharma Solutions.

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Waste Waste Carbon-neutral Carbon 276

Envirotec Magazine

NOVEMBER 14, 2023

An EU project is attempting to lead the European electronics industry towards more sustainable materials, design, manufacturing methods, and improved circularity and energy efficiency, writes Finnish research group VTT. The Sustronics project has a budget of EUR 40 million, with about a fourth coming directly from the EU (under KDT JU funding). Headed by Philips , the project aims to pioneer design, materials and manufacturing of devices that will comply with strict sustainability demands dictat

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Waste Waste Building Energy Monitoring Energy Monitor 147

Envirotec Magazine

NOVEMBER 14, 2023

The Sizewell B nuclear power plant on the Suffolk coast: The facility will provide electricity for the desalination plant at Sizewell C (image credit: Debra O’Connor / Shutterstock.com). Sizewell C aims to power its water desalination plant with zero carbon electricity from Sizewell B in a further move to make construction of the nuclear plant in Suffolk as green as possible, as the group’s Nick Osbourne writes.

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Electricity Nuclear Power Construction Climate change 147

Envirotec Magazine

OCTOBER 17, 2023

This article contains paid for content produced in collaboration with AUMA Actuators Limited. Investment in a range of renewable energy technologies by an electrical actuator supplier based near Bristol is reaping returns through reduced energy costs and meeting sustainability goals, saving over 236 tons of CO 2 and generating more than 420 MWh of energy.

Cooling 147

Cooling Plastics Packaging Electricity 147

Envirotec Magazine

OCTOBER 17, 2023

As part of its efforts to achieve net zero fossil carbon dioxide emissions, Swedish electricity supplier Mälarenergi has partnered with engineering firm ABB to upgrade its switchgear with retrofit solutions at its cogeneration plant in Västerås. By replacing the plant’s aging circuit breakers with modern Emax2 models, says ABB, the electrical circuits are not only fully protected, but feature new technologies that reduce energy consumption, saving valuable time, costs and resources.

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Sustainability Electricity Carbon Recycling 130

Envirotec Magazine

OCTOBER 17, 2023

Climate tech investments from venture-capital and private equity fell 40% in 2023 as economic uncertainty and geopolitical conflict dent investor confidence, according to PwC’s 2023 State of Climate Tech report, published on 17 October. This year’s report analysed over 8,000 climate tech start-ups and over 32,000 deals worth more than US$490 billion.

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Investment Technology Innovation Startups 245

Envirotec Magazine

OCTOBER 17, 2023

New figures appear to clarify the workforce challenge facing the global wind industry with nearly 600,000 technicians needed during the next five years – with more than 240,000 of these roles new recruits to the industry. The Global Wind Organisation (GWO) and Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC) have published their latest joint report forecasting the numbers of wind technicians required to construct, install, operate, and maintain (C&I and O&M) the anticipated global wind fleet up to 20

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Demand Education Wind power Construction 130

Envirotec Magazine

OCTOBER 17, 2023

Thousands of people will have the chance to train for careers in nuclear fusion technology, under UK government plans unveiled on 16 October. Speaking at the IAEA Fusion Energy Conference, Nuclear Minister Andrew Bowie set out details of the new £650 million Fusion Futures Programme – part of the UK’s updated Fusion Strategy. Measures include the creation of more than 2,200 training places across the country, a new fuel cycle testing facility to focus on commercialising the technology and fundin

Packaging 130

Packaging Technology Government Investment 130

Envirotec Magazine

OCTOBER 17, 2023

The efficiency and versatility of membrane pumps have made them indispensable in numerous industries. But how do they work? Pumps manufacturer KNF explains. High-performance membrane pumps operate by harnessing the power of a flexible diaphragm to move liquids or gases. Their use preserves the safe handling of corrosive and sensitive fluids. What is a membrane pump?

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Demand Energy Energy 130

Envirotec Magazine

OCTOBER 18, 2023

Last year Scotland generated its lowest amount of household waste since 2011, according to the latest figures released by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA), published on 17 October. The same data reveals a meagre 0.3 percentage point increase in recycling levels on the previous year. The figures provide detail of Household Waste collected across all Local Authorities during 2022, as well as waste landfilled and incinerated in Scotland in 2022.

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Waste Waste Recycling Recycling 130

Envirotec Magazine

OCTOBER 18, 2023

Thames samples showed the most significant levels. More than a third of water courses tested in England and Wales contain medium or high-risk levels of PFAS , according to new analysis. The Royal Society of Chemistry is calling on the UK Government to overhaul its water standards. This group of widely used and enduring chemicals has been linked to a range of serious adverse health conditions including testicular cancer, thyroid disease, increased cholesterol levels, liver damage and fertility is

Energy Monitor 130

Energy Monitor Building Energy Monitoring Health Government 130

Envirotec Magazine

OCTOBER 18, 2023

Litter surveys on the roads surrounding Cardiff and Glasgow appear to reveal ground-breaking insights that could help local authorities and agencies across the country tackle litter more strategically and save time and money in the process. Using advanced image capturing and AI data-processing technology, scientists from Ellipsis Earth worked with environmental charity Hubbub to create a detailed map of the locations and types of litter dropped.

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Retail Plastics Packaging Construction 130

Envirotec Magazine

OCTOBER 18, 2023

A detailed overview of artificial intelligence (AI) and its increasing emergence in the water and wastewater sector was the focus of British Water’s latest webinar, featuring speakers from Ofwat, Thames Water, and across the supply chain, including consultancies Jacobs and ExploreAI. The briefing, AI Explained , was held on 3 October, and explored the emergence and adoption of AI in the water and wastewater industry.

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Climate change Innovation Government Resilience 130

Envirotec Magazine

SEPTEMBER 28, 2023

A new study sheds light on the quantity and type of microplastics present in clouds. It offers insight into how these airborne particles influence cloud formation and their negative impact on the climate. The researchers analyzed cloud water samples from high-altitude mountains in Japan to ascertain the amount of microplastics in them. While most studies on microplastics have focused on aquatic ecosystems, few have looked at their impact on cloud formation and climate change.

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Microplastics Global warming Plastics Climate change 130

Envirotec Magazine

OCTOBER 2, 2023

A solution for the in-transit cleaning of hulls (ITCH) – removing biofouling from a ship’s hull during a voyage – has picked up a coveted award. The prize was among three technology awards handed out at the Singapore Norway Innovation Conference (SNIC) 2023, this year running with the theme “Innovate to Zero”, that is hosted annually in the Lion City by the Norwegian Business Association Singapore (NBAS).

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Energy Monitor Business Energy Monitoring Building Energy Monitoring Logistics 147

Envirotec Magazine

OCTOBER 2, 2023

Coastal mangroves: Restoring wetland areas could make a sizeable impact on sequestering emissions New research appears to find that wetland conservation has a higher potential mpact for mitigating climate change than other ocean-based solutions. Conducted by Imperial College Business School , London, in partnership with global management consultancy BIP , and strategic-design studio Sketchin , the findings seem to show that the restoration and preservation of wetland areas, such as mangroves,

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Sea level rise Biodiversity Climate change Law 318

Envirotec Magazine

OCTOBER 2, 2023

The Floating solar farm at Plover Cove Reservoir: What it will look like on completion. The Government of the Hong Kong SAR is introducing an innovative floating solar farm to overcome limited land resources as it pursues its plan to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. The floating solar farm at Plover Cove Reservoir is part of Hong Kong’s Climate Action Plan 2050, which draws on renewable energy as a key strategy.

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Carbon-neutral Innovation Carbon Solar Power 262